Book Description

The purpose of this study was to discover the lived experience of women with first-time myocardial infarction. Van Manen's (1990) phenomenological method of human science guided the data collection and analysis. Watson's (1979, 1985, 1988, 1999) nursing theory was the conceptual framework. Three themes emerged and are synthesized in an exhaustive description of the phenomenon. Exhaustive Formalized Description of Phenomenon Loss and disharmony of the old self or pre-myocardial infarction elicited the process of grief as a coping response. Integration of experiences promotes change and restoration of harmony as a new integrated self is developed and sustained. Intentional caring transactions foster the integration of experience, change, and self-healing that promotes self-knowledge and inner strength to make choices in health-illness decisions.